Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-13

violence. Cheers Did the Opposi-
ton mean to further infame the pas
sions Of the Irish, driving them into
resistance to the law of liberty founded
mon order that was once dear to both
parties in The State? He appealed to
them to have regard for the commu-
nity whose lives and properties were
counters with which Sir William was
playing political game. CHEERS The
Government did not waver in its policy.
They believed that firm administra-
ton of law and determination to do
their utmost TO remove the evils TO-
menting discomfort would bring to Ire
land a united people. They knew that
they must expect little assistance from
the Opposition, but, undismayed by
criticism and with courage unshakep,
they would persevere in the course
that must end in the Cancellation of
Ireland. Loud cheers
Mr.. Labouchere stated that he had
been in position to see all that occurred
at Mitchelstown. Stringent orders
were given to the people by the leaders
TO avoid disturbance. When they as
sembled in the market-place Mr.. Dillon
advised thst the proceedings be as short
as possible, with the view of avoiding
disorder. There was no objection to
the presence OF a Government reporter,
but the police could not force him
through the densely- packed crowd and
they were driven back upon the re-
serve. They then advanced to assault
the crowd, the ARRAY being begun by a
constable drawing his sword and wound
ing a horse. There were not at
any moment more than fifty people
fighting the police. There were women
and children in the crowd, and the men
had a perfect right TO resist attacks.
When the police fired there was no
danger of any of them being attacked
either inside or outside the barracks.
The police behaved like wild beasts,
battering the people about without
mercy. The chief constable showed n
deliberate intention to break mp the
meeting. He held the chief constable
and the resident magistrate responsible
for what had occurred, and he accused
them of deliberate murder. [Che rs.
Mr.. Gladstone, on rising, was loudly
cheered. He said it was natural that
the debate should be mainly directed
to the Mitchelstown outrage, but Sir
William Vernon Harcourt had per-
formed public service in drawing at
tention to the Ennis meeting.
Mr.. Balfour declared that the Gov
eminent would persevere in their en-
deavor to tranquillize Ireland by firm
administration of law and by removal
not of grievances there were none.
Laughter.
Mr.. Balfour here interposed: In
justice was my word.
Mr.. Gladstone said he was much
obliged. He saw no difference, but it
was best to be verbally correct.
Resuming, Mr.. Gladstone protested
against Mr.. Balfour's statement that he
expected only hostility from the Oppo-
stion. Whenever anything beneficial
to Ireland Was proposed the Oppo-
sition hailed 1t with pleasure and did
everything possible TO further it, despite
the unwise policy of coercion, which
was calculated to destroy social order.
TIE Opposition had enioined upon the
Irish people strict obedience to law and
their advice was more effective in pro
curing obedience than all the Govern
ment's coercion and cOnstabulary,
managed as it was mt AIitchelstown.
Mr.. Balfour had met Sir William Yer
non Harcourt's speech with Il simple tn
QuoQue, which was usually the resort
of persons i'll difficult position,
but which legally meant nothing.
lie Government on being charged with
Infringing the law say that those who
make the charges are also culpablc un-
der the law. Mr.. Balfour had enun-
ciated that all Liberal meetings might
be suppressed on the grounds that they
were called for improper purposes.
The Government had not even at
tempted to show that they had acted in
conformity with the highest legal au
thority with regard to the Mitchels-
town affair, which at once moved and
narrowed the feelings OF the com
try. Dir. Balfour's conduct seemed
marked by singular rashness and
Impudence. 1t was competent for
him, under such grave circumstances,
10 decline to enter into the discussion
till an equally grave inquiry had been
held. But instead of that he rushed
headlong to the conclusion that all the
police had done was right, and that II
they had acted otherwise they would
have been guilty of great neglect OF
duty. SO long as Mr.. Balfour remained
in his present Office they might rely
upon it that the same course would be
pursued. Mr.. Balfour had done all in his
power to bias the case, and driven the
Opposition to state how the facts appear
ed to them. He reserved his Judgment,
bnt he considered that Mr. Balfour's
assertions were right in the teeth OF
facts. From the fact that the Govern
ment failed to bring their reporter, as
was their duty, to the Mitchelstovn
meeting in way most convenient to
all concerned, he could only suppose
two explauations-frst, an intention to
promote disorder Parnellite cheers,
which he did not entertain second,
that the authorities exhibited degree
of stupidity and negligence such
as is rarely seen. The response
bility rested with those who commit
ted the first error-and it was a
gross dangerous error for a body OF
police to force their way through a
dense crowd. There was no proof OF
any attempt to storm the barracks.
On the other hand, the victims were
two old men and boy.
Mr.. Gladstone hoped to hear before
the debate closed that this sad and
erievous affair, which had created a
sentiment of horror and disgust
throughout the kingdom, had not
been kept in the dark, but had been
probed to the bottom. Parnellite
cheers. He wished he could see
either frmness or Cancellation on
the part of the Government. He
feared all that was occurring IN
Ireland tended to support contention
of the Opposition that the Govern
ment's legislation was directed, not
against crime, but against combination
for liberty of speech and public meet
ing. He was convinced that the PEG
pie of England would not follow the
Governments course, which could lead
to nothing but distress and disaster.
1Cheers.
Parnell's motion to adjourn the de-
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